Roosevelt Grier (born July 14, 1932) is an American actor, singer, Protestant minister, and former professional American football player. He was a notable college football player for The Pennsylvania State University who earned a retrospective place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary list of 100 most influential student athletes. As a professional player, Grier was a member of the New York Giants and the original Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams. He played in the Pro Bowl twice.
Rosey Grier
No. 76
Position: Defensive tackle
Personal information
Date of birth: July 14, 1932 (age 85)
Place of birth: Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight: 284 lb (129 kg)
Career information
College: Penn State
NFL Draft: 1955 / Round: 3 / Pick: 31
Career history
• New York Giants (1955–1962)
• Los Angeles Rams (1963–1966)
Career highlights and awards
• 2× Pro Bowl (1956, 1960)
• 3× All-Pro (1956, 1958 1959)
Career NFL statistics
Sacks: 44.5
Games: 141
Safeties: 2
Player stats at NFL.com
After Grier's professional sports career, he worked as a bodyguard for Robert Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign and was guarding the senator's wife, Ethel Kennedy, during the Robert F. Kennedy assassination. Although unable to prevent that killing, Grier took control of the gun and subdued the shooter, Sirhan Sirhan.
Grier's other activities have been colorful and varied. He hosted his own Los Angeles television show and made approximately 70 guest appearances on various shows during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1979 Grier appeared on season three, episode 14 of The Love Boat.
As a singer, Grier first released singles on the A label in 1960, and over the following twenty-five years he continued to record on various labels including Liberty, Ric, MGM, and A&M.[1] His recording of a tribute to Robert Kennedy, "People Make the World" (written by Bobby Womack), was his only chart single, peaking at No. 128 in 1968.
Grier is known for his serious pursuit of hobbies not traditionally associated with men. He has authored several books, including Rosey Grier's Needlepoint for Men in 1973. Grier became an ordained Protestant minister in 1983 and travels as an inspirational speaker. He founded American Neighborhood Enterprises, a nonprofit organization that serves inner city youth. He was also a featured speaker at the 1984 Republican National Convention; during its evening session on August 20, 1984, he endorsed President Ronald Reaganfor re-election.[2]
Community serviceEdit
Grier has also written a number of books, and now travels the United States as an inspirational speaker. He is a cofounder of American Neighborhood Enterprises, an organization that works to help disadvantaged city dwellers buy homes and receive vocational training. Grier was ordained a Protestant minister in 1983, and the next year he founded his nonprofit resource center for inner-city teens, developing spiritual and educational programs for disadvantaged youths.
Grier is a prominent member of Alpha Phi Alphafraternity. He is also on the Milken Family Foundationboard of trustees and serves as its program administrator of community affairs.
He has been honored by Penn State as recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in 1974, and the Alumni Fellow Award in 1991. He was named to the NCAA's "List of the 100 Most Influential Student-Athletes” published to commemorate the NCAA's 100th anniversary. In 1997, he was inducted into the New Jersey Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2017, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame.
2018 gubernatorial bidEdit
On January 5, 2017, Grier announced his intention to run for Governor of California as a Republican in the California gubernatorial election, 2018.[16] He ended his candidacy in July 2017.[17]
Rosey Grier/Spouse
- 1 of 1
Cydnee Seyler
m. 2013
Margie Grier
m. 1980–2011
Bernice Lewis
m. 1962–1970
Margie Grier
m. ?–1978